Discussion

The two species of Howea are the largest palms in theLinospadicinae. Howea belmoreana is distinguished by curvedleaves with erect leaflets and by a single spike in each leaf axil,while H. forsteriana has rather flat leaves with drooping leafletsand several spikes in each leaf axil. Flowers and fruits matureslowly so that several inflorescences in different stages areoften present on a single tree.Recent research has demonstrated that Howea speciated sympatrically on Lord Howe Island and is thus a rare convincing example of this controversial mode of speciation (Savolainen et al. 2006). (J. Dransfield & N. Uhl & C. Asmussen & W.J. Baker & M. Harley & C. Lewis, Genera Palmarum. The evolution and classification of palms. 2008)A